BIO: Andrew HARTER, Centre County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Patty Millich Copyright 2008. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/ http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/centre/1picts/commbios/comm-bios.htm _____________________________________________________________________ Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania: Including the Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion: Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Etc. Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1898. _____________________________________________________________________ ANDREW HARTER, the able and efficient postmaster at Coburn, Centre county, and president of the Millheim & Coburn Pike Company, is a man whose exemplary life and upright dealings with his fellow men have won for him that priceless treasure - a good name. Prosperous also in a material sense, he stands among the leading business men of his section, while his generous interest in the progress of the community has been demonstrated in many ways. Mr. Harter was born in Penn township, Centre county, March 7, 1839, and is the third in direct and consecutive order to bear the same name. Andrew Harter, his grandfather, was a farmer in Haines township, Centre county; Andrew Harter, our subject's father, was born there July 31, 1802, and was educated in the German schools of that day and locality. On arriving at manhood's estate the latter received from his father, who had but little means beyond his modest home, about $150 worth of goods, and with this outfit he set up a home of his own, taking unto himself a wife, Catherine Moyer, who was born in 1808 in Lebanon county, Penn. Her father, George Moyer, a farmer settled in Haines township, Centre county, when she was but a child, and his remaining days were spent there. Our subject's father first rented a farm in his native township with a brother-in-law, Henry Moyer, but later removed to Penn township, Centre county, and rented land from James Duncan. He was an energetic man and capable of much work, being six feet, one and one-half inches in height, and very wiry and muscular, and each year saw an improvement in his financial condition. In time he purchased the farm in the same township, which is now owned by our subject, but he never became very wealthy. He could never refuse a favor, and his generosity was often imposed upon. He and his estimable wife were both members of the Lutheran Church, and in politics he adhered to the Democratic faith, taking much interest in party work, and serving in various township offices. He died suddenly at the age of fifty-nine, and his wife passed away when sixty-four years old, the remains of both being interred at Aaronsburg. They had ten children: Polly, who died in infancy; Catherine (Mrs. Philip Shook), of Gregg township, Centre county; Sarah (Mrs. Henry Behm) of Haines township, Centre county; John M., of Coburn; Julia A. (Mrs. Henry Stemm), of Illinois; Margaret (Mrs. Jacob Sanders), of Penn township, Centre county; Andrew, our subject; Harriet (Mrs. Daniel Geutzel), of Gregg township; George M., of Potter township, Centre county and Jacob M. of Coburn. The schools in which our subject received his education were not of the best, and he felt deeply the need of wider opportunities. But his parents needed his help on the farm, for although not the oldest he was much depended upon, so he virtually sacrificed his future in order to assist at home. When his father died, Mr. Harter and a brother-in-law, Mr. Shook, were appointed administrators. The business affairs were in a much more complicated state than they probably would have been had the sad event been anticipated, and in order to meet certain urgent obligations against the homestead, Mr. Harter rented it, and by hard work and good management secured the money in time. Later he and his brother George bought the place, which contains 156 acres, and conducted it in partnership until the brother sold his interest, purchasing a farm adjoining. Since that time Andrew Harter has COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD. 212 been the sole owner. He has a comfortable competence gained by methods which enable him to look any man in the face with no fear of any accusation of dishonesty. In April, 1893, he removed with his family to Coburn, where he owns a good home, one of the finest in the place. In April, 1863, Mr. Harter was married in Haines township, Centre county, to Miss Catherine Kleckner, who was born February 9, 1843, in Hartley township, Union Co., Penn. She was the second child and daughter in the family of seven children born to Joseph and Sally (Boop) Kleckner. Her father died during her girlhood, and at the time of her marriage she was employed as a domestic. Three children have been born to this marriage: (1) George A., a physician of Maytown, Lancaster Co., Penn., and a graduate of Susquehanna University and Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia; he married Libbie Gaugler of Selins, Grove, Snyder county, a daughter of Jackson Gaugler, a railroad contractor, and they have three children - Charles Andrew, Marie Catherine and Helen G. (2) Andrew J., a music dealer and accomplished musician at Altoona, Penn., of the first Lutheran Church of which city he is organist; he received his musical education in part at the New England Conservatory of Music, Boston, Mass., where he studied two years; on December 4, 1890, he married Miss Sallie B. Shirk, who was born in Potter township January 8, 1867, a daughter of Joseph and Agnes (Shires) Shirk, farming people; Mrs. Harter died December 10, 1896, leaving two children - May Kathleen, born May 1, 1892 and James Andrew born August 17, 1894. (3) James E. is a professor of music at Coburn; he also was a student at the New England Conservatory of Music at Boston; he married Jennie Hosterman, February 12, 1891; he is at present engaged in the mercantile business at Coburn, Penn.; present tax collector of Penn township; and has been officer and organist in the Lutheran Church since 1890. Mr. Harter has given his sons much more favorable opportunities for education than he himself enjoyed and they have proven themselves worthy of their advantages. All occupy honorable positions in their respective communities and are active in Church affairs and in all progressive movements of the day. Mr. Harter, himself, is a leading worker in the Lutheran denomination in his locality. While attending the Millheim Church, he held the office of deacon, and he is now an elder in the Coburn congregation. He has always been a liberal giver, and was the largest contributor toward the new church at Coburn. He is much interested in local affairs of every sort, and as a leading stockholder in the Millheim & Coburn turnpike and as president of the company has been a factor in the success of that enterprise. He belongs to the Grange, and is prominent in the councils of the Democratic party, having held numerous township offices, including those of auditor and supervisor. In September, 1893, he was appointed postmaster at Coburn, and has since discharged the duties of the place with characteristic fidelity. He has always been a leader in musical advancement, and to his untiring efforts are due many of the grand musical successes for which the community, in which he lives, is noted. His characteristic energy and determination have always made of him a leader and not a follower, and among his neighbors he has many friends and few enemies.